Fractured nose
How do I know if Ive broken my nose?
A broken nose will be painful, swollen and red. Other typical symptoms include:
- bruising around the eyes ( Eye, black )
- a nosebleed
- tenderness when you touch the nose
- a crunching or crackling sound when you touch the nose
- the nose looking deformed
- difficulty breathing out of the nose, as if something is blocking it
Many broken noses can be cared for at home and medical treatment isn't always necessary, especially if the skin and septum (wall between the nostrils) are still intact.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Read about the signs of a broken nose, and find out how to look after your nose at home and when you should seek medical advice.
How do I know if Ive broken my nose?
A broken nose will be painful, swollen and red. Other typical symptoms include: bruising around the eyes ( Eye, black ) a nosebleed tenderness when you touch the nose a crunching or crackling so
Caring for your nose at home
You can often manage your broken nose at home by following the advice below: Hold an ice pack (frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel will also work) to the nose for 10-15 minutes every few hours for th
When to see your GP
Contact your GP if: the pain gets worse or is not relieved by ordinary painkillers (your GP may be able to prescribe a stronger painkiller) the swelling doesn't go down after a few days the swelli
When to go to hospital
Go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department if: you have a nosebleedthat won't stop you have an open wound over your nose clear fluid is trickling from your nose (this could ind
Treatment for a severely broken nose
If your nose is crooked or the skin is broken, you'll probably need to be assessed and treated in hospital. A doctor may be able to realign your nose using special instruments under general anaesthet
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